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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

Core objective: To provide non-financial support, primarily through training and consulting services, to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MŚP) in Poland that are experiencing or are at risk of temporary operational difficulties or economic crisis.
Explicit identification of target recipient type and size: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MŚP), including self-employed individuals.
MUST state if grant is 'SECTOR-SPECIFIC' or 'SECTOR-AGNOSTIC': SECTOR-AGNOSTIC.
Geographic scope and any location requirements: Poland. The applicant's main office or permanent place of business must be located within the territory of the Republic of Poland.
Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: MŚP status, active business for at least 12 months, and a 'warning level' result from the mandatory PARP Self-Diagnosis (Autodiagnoza) tool.
Grant frequency and program context: This is a recurring opportunity part of the broader 'Fundusze Europejskie dla Rozwoju Społecznego 2021-2027' (European Funds for Social Development 2021-2027) program, specifically Action 01.03 'Kadry nowoczesnej gospodarki' (Human Resources for a Modern Economy). Applications are continuously accepted by selected operators.

Financial Structure

Total budget for the call: 66,000,000 PLN.
Funding is provided as non-repayable financial support.
The entrepreneur is not obligated to provide their own contribution.
Maximum funding for a self-employed enterprise (no employees): up to 19,298.00 PLN.
Maximum funding for micro and small enterprises: up to 77,192.00 PLN.
Maximum funding for medium enterprises: up to 154,384.00 PLN.
Funding intensity: The de minimis aid intensity does not exceed 100% of the eligible costs.
The support constitutes de minimis aid. The total de minimis aid received by one enterprise (including linked entities) must not exceed 300,000 EUR over a three-tax-year period. The Operator will verify compliance with this limit.
Funding mechanism: Support is provided as a refund of costs incurred for development services.
Eligible costs: Advisory services aimed at developing the 'Diagnosis' based on the 'Autodiagnoza' result, and development services chosen from the 'Baza Usług Rozwojowych' (BUR) with the 'possibility of co-financing' option, specifically those identified in the 'Diagnosis'. Costs related to the purchase of intangible assets directly linked to the provision of advisory/training services by registered entities are also eligible for the de minimis aid calculation.
Ineligible costs: Services provided in an e-learning format. Costs incurred before the project's start date.

Eligibility Requirements

General Organizational Requirements

Must possess a main office or permanent place of business on the territory of the Republic of Poland, confirmed by entry in the appropriate register (KRS or CEIDG).
Must be a Micro, Small, or Medium Enterprise (MŚP). The 'Kwalifikator MŚP' (SME Qualifier) tool on the PARP website can be used to determine this status. An MŚP is generally defined as having fewer than 250 employees, and an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million EUR OR an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million EUR, considering links to other enterprises.
Must meet the conditions for receiving de minimis aid.
Must not be subject to exclusion from receiving European Union funds based on EU or national legislation that imposes sanctions on entities directly or indirectly supporting or responsible for the war actions of the Russian Federation.
Must be an actively operating business that is not suspended.
Must have been registered for a minimum of 12 months prior to the start of the recruitment round in which the Entrepreneur's Recruitment Form is submitted.
Must have completed the 'Autodiagnoza' (Self-diagnosis) on https://swo-autodiagnoza.parp.gov.pl, and the result must indicate that the enterprise is in 'temporary difficulties' (a 'warning level' result is required for eligibility).

Excluded Sectors/Activities for De Minimis Aid

Primary production of fishery and aquaculture products.
Processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products where the aid amount is based on the price or quantity of products acquired or marketed.
Primary production of agricultural products.
Processing and marketing of agricultural products where the aid amount is based on the price or quantity of raw materials acquired or marketed, or when the aid is conditional on being partly or wholly passed on to primary producers.
Activities related to export to third countries or member states (e.g., aid directly linked to exported quantities, establishment/operation of a distribution network, or other current export-related expenses).
Aid conditional on the preferential use of domestic goods and services over imported ones.

Application Process

Application Timeline

Contest announcement: May 20, 2024.
Start of application submission: June 24, 2024.
End of application submission: April 30, 2027 (this is the latest end date across all operators).

Application Procedure and Steps

1. Complete the 'Autodiagnoza' (Self-diagnosis) on https://swo-autodiagnoza.parp.gov.pl. Ensure the result indicates 'warning level' difficulties.
1. Identify and contact one of the six selected Operators, who are responsible for recruitment and providing support (e.g., QS Zurich Sp. z o.o., Certes Sp. z o.o., ProcessTeam Sp. z o.o., Krajowa Izba Gospodarcza, KDK INFO Sp. z o.o., CTS Customized Training Solutions Sp. z o.o.).
1. Submit the Entrepreneur's Recruitment Form to the chosen Operator.
1. The Operator will conduct a more in-depth 'Diagnoza' (Diagnosis) of the enterprise's condition based on the 'Autodiagnoza' result.
1. Select appropriate development services (training or consulting) from the 'Baza Usług Rozwojowych' (Development Services Database, BUR) that align with the 'Diagnoza' and are marked as eligible for co-financing.
1. Sign a support agreement with the Operator.
1. Undertake the selected development services.
1. Submit documentation for the refund of eligible costs.

Required Documentation and Materials

Entrepreneur's Recruitment Form.
Certificate(s) or a declaration concerning previous de minimis aid received.
Information required by the Council of Ministers' regulation regarding de minimis aid applicants.
The result of the 'Autodiagnoza' self-diagnosis.

Types of Support Offered

Financial support in the form of a refund for eligible advisory and training services.
Access to a professional 'Diagnoza' of the company's needs.

Project Implementation and Reporting Obligations

Development services must be delivered either in a stationary (in-person) format or remotely in real-time. E-learning is explicitly excluded.
Only costs for development services that are a direct result of the 'Diagnoza' are eligible for refund.
The Operator will issue a certificate of de minimis aid received.

Application Assistance

PARP Infoline: 801 332 202 or 22 574 07 07 (Monday-Friday, 8:30-16:30).
PARP website's help center, FAQs, and video instructions are available for assistance with the 'Autodiagnoza' tool.

Evaluation Criteria

Primary Qualification Factor

The fundamental criterion for eligibility is the result of the mandatory 'Autodiagnoza' (self-diagnosis) conducted on the PARP platform. Only enterprises with a 'warning level' result, indicating 'temporary difficulties', are qualified to proceed.

Alignment with Diagnosis and Support Goals

The funding is specifically for advisory and development services that are directly identified and recommended within a 'Diagnosis' report. This Diagnosis is prepared by the selected Operator based on the applicant's self-diagnosis result.
Services must be selected from the 'Baza Usług Rozwojowych' (Development Services Database, BUR) and explicitly allow for co-financing. This ensures that the services are relevant, verified, and aligned with the project's aims of supporting business resilience and adaptation.

Expected Outcomes

The project seeks to support companies in addressing various problems, such as economic crisis, decreased demand, loss of qualified employees, or illness of key staff, to adapt to changes and overcome difficulties. The effectiveness of the proposed training or consulting services in achieving these outcomes will be implicitly evaluated.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with national and EU regulations regarding sanctions on entities involved in actions supporting the Russian Federation's war efforts.
Strict adherence to de minimis aid regulations, particularly Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/2831, which sets the maximum aid limit and defines excluded sectors/activities.

Ethical Standards

The project emphasizes accessibility and inclusivity, with the possibility for individuals to report any non-compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (KPON) to relevant authorities (Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy or PARP).

Data Protection and Privacy

Personal data submitted during the application process is processed by PARP for the purpose of responding to inquiries and for newsletter distribution. Applicants' rights regarding data processing are outlined in PARP's personal data protection regulations.

Unique Aspects and Strategic Opportunities

This grant targets businesses at an early stage of difficulty, providing proactive, non-financial support to prevent deeper crises.
The support is highly personalized: a 'Diagnosis' tailored to the specific needs of the struggling business determines the types of training or consulting services to be undertaken.
The program is implemented through a network of selected Operators, which decentralizes the application process and provides localized support.
The support is provided as a refund for costs already incurred, requiring businesses to initially cover the service costs.

Accessibility and Inclusion Standards

At least one Operator (QS Zurich Sp. z o.o.) explicitly states that their project office is accessible for persons with disabilities, including those with mobility impairments, and is architecturally barrier-free, located in an easily accessible area.

Grant Details